Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill that will lengthen the amount of time a first-offense DWI offender must have an ignition interlock device in order to drive. Current law is three months, this bill extends it to six months. Covington Representative Mark Wright says the longer time period will help create the habit of not drinking and driving…

Cut 13 (09) “…long enough”  

Last year’s drought was unprecedented and losses to several of Louisiana’s industries reached around one point seven billion dollars. Commissioner Mike Strain has written 2 letters this month to the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting federal assistance for struggling crawfish farmers under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program. He says ELAP needs to expand to help struggling crawfish farmers.

Cut 7 (10) “…main problem.”  

After the body of missing 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was found in Catahoula Parish, authorities say they are following up on multiple leads. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Jefferson parish will be home the first us manufacturing facility for two key lithium ion battery ingredients. Dimethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. The Japanise chemical company UBE is investing 500 million dollars and is expected to result in 47 direct new jobs and 300 construction jobs during building. The place will be located in Energy Park in Jefferson parish

The body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was positively identified as the one found on January 24^th in the Ouachita River. She was last seen alive around New Year’s. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards says they are following up on leads which includes Turner’s social media activity and friends.

Cut 3 (09) “…particular area.”  

Preliminary estimates show Louisiana’s crawfish crop loss approaches 140 million dollars and Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain has written 2 letters this month to the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack requesting federal assistance under the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program. His second letter sent Wednesday requested expansion or clarification…

Cut 6  (10) “…for crawfish.” 

Legislation that would restart executions of death row inmates in Louisiana is nearing final legislative approval after an emotional vote on the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story….

Cut 2 (35)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted would face to 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris

Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

Legislation to expand the methods Louisiana can use to carry out a death sentence is nearing final legislative passage. The Senate approved the bill to allow the state to use the electric chair or nitrogen gas to end a death row inmate’s life. New Orleans Senator Gary Carter says the legislation is unconstitutional because the death penalty is applied in a discriminatory way…

Cut 10 (13) “…against this.”

Right before the vote, Port Allen Senator Caleb Kleinpeter recognized the families of victims of death penalty cases who were watching from the gallery with Governor Jeff Landry…

Cut 12 (05)  “…the victims”  

The amended bill is expected to receive final passage in the House later today.

The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010 because the state cannot obtain the drugs needed to carry out a lethal injection.

The body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was positively identified as the one found on January 24^th. Turner’s dismembered body was found floating in the Ouachita River by a fisherman approximately three miles north of Jonesville.  Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards says they are following up on leads which includes Turner’s social media activity and friends. He says deputies are working with authorities in Iberia Parish and areas in between.

Cut 4 (11) “…incident.” 

If you have any information about the case, you are asked to contact the Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Department.

LSU women’s basketball is entering the final week of the regular season and after scoring a season-high 26 points at Tennessee, LSU Head Coach Kim Mulkey says that Hailey Van Lith’s struggles this season were expected, but that she’s proud of how Van Lith embraced her new position as a point guard this season.

Cut 17 (20) “… in the now.”

LSU women’s basketball will take on Georgia tonight at 8 pm.

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In men’s college basketball last night, Louisiana Tech won their third straight road game against Western Kentucky 90 to 84. The Bulldogs are now in first place in Conference USA and will take on Sam Houston State next Thursday at 6 pm, for the Conference USA regular season championship.

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LSU Baseball had a very successful game last night against Rice as the Tigers defeated the Owls 16 to 4. The Tigers scored their 16 runs on 11 hits including two home runs by Catcher Brady Neal and starting pitcher Kade Anderson only allowed 3 hits in 5 innings.

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In other college baseball news, Southeastern defeated Mississippi Valley State 12 to 0 on a night where they did not allow a single hit. Nicholls barely lost to South Alabama 11 to 10. ULM scored 13 unanswered runs after the 5th inning to beat Stephen F. Austin 13 to 2. Louisiana Tech also defeated McNeese 13 to 4 to stay undefeated on the year. And the Ragin’ Cajuns powered past Northwestern State 14 to 4 as UL-Lafayette catcher Kyle Debarge had two home runs on the night including a grand slam in the first inning.

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And Opelousas’s first Division II Non-select title will be short lived as the LHSAA has now stripped their title due to the participation of an ineligible player during the season.

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In men’s college basketball last night, UL-Lafayette lost their fourth straight game to Troy 87 to 73.

Legislation that would expand the methods Louisiana can use to carry out a death sentence is nearing final legislative passage. The Louisiana Senate approved the bill that would allow the state to use the electric chair or nitrogen gas to end a death row inmate’s life. New Orleans Senator Royce Duplessis voted against the proposal…
cut 9 (09) “…simply unacceptable”
Religious arguments were also made against the bill and opponents also called the death penalty inhumane. But Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud says the death penalty is already legal in Louisiana and it’s time to re-start executions in the state by requiring that lethal injections records sealed…
cut 11 (10) ” this vote”
The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010 as the state can not obtain the drugs needed to carry out a lethal injection.
The permitless concealed handgun bill has received final legislative approval in the House and the lower chamber also sent a bill to the governor’s desk that will result in 17-year-olds who commit felonies to be treated as adults. Democrats fought back against both proposals. Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle on the legislation that puts 17-year-old offenders in the adult prison system…
cut 19 (10) “…single thing”

The body of 19-year-old Sheryl Turner of New Iberia was positively identified as the one found on January 24th in the Ouachita River. She was last seen alive around New Year’s. Catahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards says they are following up on leads which includes Turner’s social media activity and friends.
Cut 3 (09) “…particular area.”
Turner’s dismembered body was found floating in the Ouachita River by a fisherman approximately three miles north of Jonesville.

The Louisiana Legislature has approved legislation to repeal the Raise the Age Law. Jeff Palermo reports it means 17-year-olds charged with felonies will go through the adult justice system…

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

A bill to allow non-felon adults to conceal carry received full passage in the legislature yesterday. It will go into effect July 4^th.

In September 58-year-old Bill Daspit vanished, and his wife Lara (pronounced Laura) Daspit has put up billboards in Lafayette in hopes of finding him. She says he was last seen on video near their home in the small town of Coteau Holmes in St. Martin Parish.

Cut 6 (11) “…home.”

Daspit is described as a 5-foot, 10-inches tall, white male with brown hair weighing 218 pounds. For more information visit Louisiana Radio Network dot com

A Mardi Gras krewe in New Orleans has made the decision to no longer throw plastic beads. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says the feedback to do away with beads has been extremely positive and Freret along with other krewes in New Orleans are focusing on more sustainable throws like socks, luggage tags, masks, and hats. Hjortsberg says even local bead vendors are jumping on the trend and expanding their options.

Cut 9 (04)  “…be fine.”

Louisiana adults who are not felons will soon be allowed to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training as a result of a bill given final legislative approval by the House. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says criminals are walking around with concealed guns so law-abiding citizens should legally have the same opportunity…
Cut 30 (15) “…defend themselves.”

And the Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted of this proposed law would face 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris hopes this legislation will save a young person’s life
Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

A St. Martin Parish woman is asking for any clues in hopes of finding her husband who went missing five months ago. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Krewe of Freret is taking the bold step and prohibiting plastic beads from being thrown by its members in the future. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says plastic beads contain toxins, they end up in trees and wreak havoc on New Orleans’ drainage system.
Cut 7 (09) “…bad idea.”

Heading to the governor’s desk is a bill that would put 17-year-olds who commit felonies in the adult criminal justice system. The legislation repeals a law that went into effect in 2019 that prosecutes non-violent 17-year-olds as juveniles. But Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says 17-year-olds are becoming more violent
Cut 10 (10) “…society.”
LaPlace Representative Sylvia Taylor doesn’t like the idea of sending 17-year-olds to an adult prison without any educational services.…
Cut 13 (09) “…be better.”
Also heading to the governor’s desk is the bill that allows non-felon adults to conceal carry a gun without a permit.

The Krewe of Feret has made the decision that they will no longer throw plastic beads during their uptown New Orleans parade. Freret Captain Bobby Hjortsberg says their co-ed and diverse organization has been thinking about doing away with plastic beads for some time, but because their Krewe is only 13 years old, they didn’t want to rock the boat.
Cut 8 (11) “…the decision.
Hjortsberg says the platic beads contain toxins that wreak havoc on New Orleans’ drainage system.

A baby pig that was tossed around like a football along a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade route by three men has received a full pardon from Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser. “Earl the Pig Long” has been officially adopted by state representative Lauren Ventrella to live on her farm in Central. Nungesser and Ventrella on what is next for Earl.
Cut 22 (09) “…lobbying efforts.”

State lawmakers approve a bill that will make it legal to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. The law will go into effect July 4th. The legislature has also passed a bill that results in 17-year-olds who commit felonies will be charged as adults, instead of going through the juvenile justice system. Marksville Representative Daryl Deshotel says juvenile detention facilities have been plagued with problems since 17-year-olds have been added to the population.
Cut 11 (11) “…to hospitals.”
The Senate has sent a bill to the governor’s desk that would increase the penalties for a drug dealer convicted of packaging fentanyl so it would appeal to children. A person convicted of this proposed law would face 25 to 99 years in prison. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris hopes this legislation will save a young person’s life
Cut 14 (07) “..from fentanyl.”

The Krewe of Freret in New Orleans is taking a bold step to make plastic beads a thing of the past.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In St. Martin Parish, Lara Daspit is desperately looking for her 58-year-old husband Bill Daspit. He’s not been seen since September 10th when he was involved in a motorcycle crash near their home, which is close to St. Martinville. She says her husband is white, with brown hair and 5-10….
cut 5 (06) “…unusual eyes”